Control apparatus



June 29 1926. v

B. O. AUSTIN CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Oct. 6, 1919 INVENTOR AmRNY l Patented `lune 29, 1926.

UNITED -STArEs PATENT OFFICE.

BASCUM 0. AUSTIN, OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- `HOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COI-[[PANY74 A CORPORATION 0F PENNSYL- VAN IA.

CONTROL APPARATUS.

Application led October 6, 1919.

My invention relates to control apparatus and particularly to unit switches for use in railway control systems and the like.

One object of my invention is to provide a switch of the above-indicated character having a novel movable contact device whereby a desirable rolling and wiping contact is provided through the agency of a simple and reliable mechanism.

More specifically stated, it is one object of my invention to provide a movable contact mechanism for a unitswitch wherein a lost-motion connection with a stationary supporting member is provided at any intermedi-ate point of the movable switch arm, the outer ends of which are respectively provided with a contact tip and a biasing spring. while the power-actuated means is secured to a second intermediate point ot the switch arm.

Another object of my invention is to provide integral means for performing the function of both a contact-tip holder and a double arcing horn, this construction applying to both the stationary and the movable contact tip.

My invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein f Figure 1 is a view, chiefly in section and partially in elevation, of a portion of a unit switch constructed inr accordance withl my present invention; and

F ig, 2 to Fig. 7, inclusive, are various elevational views of certain parts ot the structure that is illustrated in Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing, the structure here shown comprises a suitable insulating hase or supporting means 1, a stationary contact device 2, a co-operating movable. contact device 3 and a portion ot' the poweroperated means 4 tor the switch.

The stationary contact device 2 comprises a contact-tip holder 6 which is best shown in Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 and which is secured to the base or supporting means 1 ot insulating material by means of a screw 7 that is itted into the main body portion S, into which a large tap bolt 9 also extends, such bolt torminga portion of the main switch terminal for connection to an external circuit, in accordance With customary practice. The body portion 8 is provided with a pair of triangular depending lips or Serial No. 328,848.

flat lugs 10 and 11, to act as arcing horns. and also with a downwardly extending ear 12 on the rear side, to which the familiar bent contact tip 13 is secured by a bolt 14;.

It will be seen that, in addition to per forming the function of a contact-tip holder, the member 6 is provided with the pair of integral arcing horns 10 and 11 that are placed in close proximity to, and on oppo` site sides of, the contact tip proper 13. The configuration of the arcing horn members 10 and 11 is such as to provide the desired rapid dissipation of arcs that are formed by the separation of the stationary and movable contact tips.

The movable contact device 3 comprises a shank or arm 15 which embodies, near its outer end, a solid or body portion 16 to which the contact tip 17 is secured by means oit a bolt 1S. The arm 15 is also shown in Figs. 2, and et. Integrally formed with the body portion 16 are a plurality of upwardly extending lips or lugs 19 and 20 thatV are so related to the contact tip 17 and are of such conliguration that the customary functions of aroing horns are effectively secured. An integral curtain or lug 21 extends downwardly t'or the purpose of deflecting any arcs trom the lower portions of the unit switch including the power-actuated device et.

A pair of integral apertured ears 22 extend downwardly from anY intermediate point of the switch arm 15 for the purpose oit mechanical connection to the power-operated means 4, as subsequent-ly more fully described. The intermediate portion ot the arm 15 is apertured vertically, as indicated at 16, and, near the right-hand end o1 the arm, a slotted portion 23 is provided Ylor forming a partot a lost-motion connection, while the arm terminates in a lug or boss 24 integrallysecured to the lowerend of the slotted portion 23 for a purpose to be forth. y

A pin or small rod 25 passes through the slotted portion 23 and is suitably secured to the side walls of a box or hollow block 26, only one-half of which is shown inthe sectional view of Fig. 1. A coil spring 27 is, in part, located within the box 26, actingbetween the lug 24 and a boss 28 on the underside ot the upper solid portion 29 of the box 267 which portion is securedv to a supporting block 30 by means et a suitable bolt 30a. The bloc-l; :SO is fastened to the base 1 in the saine manner as the contact holder (i, as will be understood .vithout 'further exposition.

A braided or stranded shunt 31 has one end secured by a bolt that extends into the body portion 16 ot the switch arm 15, the shunt curving beneath the box 26 and having its other end fastened to a contact clip 33 which is held in position by the bolt 30a. Consequently, the current is shunted trom the contact block 30 through the shunt 31 to the body portion 16 ot the switch arm 15, whereby the lost-motion connection members 25 and 23, as well as the spring 27, are relieved of the necessity 01"' carrying current.

The power-operated means 4 may be ol' any familiar type, such as the solenoid or, preferably, the pneumatic actuating mechanism that is well-known in the prior art, and the upper portion shown comprises a hook member 34 which passes over a pin 35 that is secured between the ears 22 of the switch arm 15. A suitable insulator 36 is attached to the hook 34 and a metallic member 37 is directly attached to the piston stem (not shown) or other power-operated member, as will be understood.

The mechanical operation of my switching device may be briefly set forth as follows. Upon the application ot power to the insulator member 36, the switch arm 15 moves upwardly, swinging around the pin 25 as a center until initial contact is eected between the contact tips 17 and 13. Continued upward movement of the insulator 4: then effects a rolling action of the movable contact tip 17 across the tace ot the stationary contact tip 13 by reason ot' the lostmotion connection 25 and the opposing torce that is exerted by the spring 27. In the final closed position of the Contact members, the right-hand flat surfaces of the contact tips are in close engagement, while the slotted portion 23 of the switch arm has been moved upwardly to its limiting position with respect to the pin 25.

When the power-operating means A is released, the opposite mechanical action takes place, as will be understood, and, at the same time, the integral lips 10 and 11 on the stationary contact holder 6 and the integral lips 19 and 20 on the movable switch arm 15 serve the function of arcing horns to rapidly and harmlessly dissipate the arcs that are formed by the separating contact tips.

An arc drawn between the contact members 13 and 17 is forced outward and delivered to the arc horns. Since Vboth ot the arc horns are provided with spaced lips, the ends of the arcs are concentrated and prevented lrom spreading. Further, by malring the arc horns substantially troughshaped, gases formed during the arc-rupturing process are prevented from flowing backward under the influence of a magnetic tield set up by the looping of the arc.

It will also be readily understood that the depending curtain 21, carried bythe lower arc horn, will serve to prevent an arc which tends to tra-vel backward on the under Jface ot the arc horn from reaching the insulator4.

lt will be appreciated that by reason ot' the relatively heavy construction of the integral arcing horns, a long life thereof will result. Y

l do not wish to be restricted to the specitic structural details or arrangement ot' parts herein set forth, as various moditications thereot` may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. l desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed upon my invention as are indicated in the appended claims.

l claim as my invention:

l. A contact holder for unit switches hav- 1 ing a plurality of parallel-extending arcing horns joined substantially throughout their lengths integrally secured thereto.

2. A contact holder for unit switches having a tip-receiving portion and a plurality ot integral arcing horns located on opposite sides ot the contact tip said horns being joined substantially throughout their lengths.

` 3. A contact holder for unit switches having a body portion and an integral bifurcated portion shaped like a trough for functioning as a double arcing horn.

e. A unit switch comprising a stationary and a co-operating movable contact member respectively embodying contact tips and contact holders having integrally termed lips located near said tips and in the plane thereot to act as arcing horns.

5. A unit switch comprising a stationary and a co-operating movable contact member respectively embodying body portions, contact tips secured thereto, and bifurcated portions integrally formed with said body portions to act as double arcing horns tor bination, cooperating stationary ana movable switch members, contact tips shaped to permit the making of a rolling and wiping contact carried by said switch members, means adapted to operate the movable member to eli'ect a rolling and wiping contact between said tips, and arcing horns disposed to receive an arc trom the contact tips, each arcing horn being provided with a j'iluralityv et spacedlips disposed thereon to toi-m substantially a trough, said lips being shaped to present substantially pointed projections adjacent the contact tips.

8. A switching device comprising, in combination, cooperating stationary and movable switch members, contact tips shaped to permit the making of a rolling and wiping contact carried by said switch members, means adapted to operate the movable meniber to effect a rolling and wiping contact between said ips, and arcing horns disposed to receive an arc from the contact tips, each arcing horn being provided with a plurality ot spaced lips disposed thereon to form substantially a trough, said lips being shaped to present substantially pointed projections adjacent the contact tips, said contact tips being extended beyond said projections, thereby to deliver arcs to the outer' portions ot said arcing horns.

9. A switching device comprising, in combination, cooperating stationary and movable switch members, contact tips shaped to permit the making oi a rolling and wiping contact carried by said switch members, means adapted to operate the movable inember to etllect a rolling and wiping contact between said tips, and arcing horns disposed to receive an arc from the contact tips, each arcing horn being provided with a plurality of spaced lips, the inner faces oi said lips diver-ging as they extend outwardly 'from said contact tips.

1t). A switching device comprising, in combination, cooperating stationary and movable switch members, contact tips shaped to permit the making ot a rolling and iping contact carried by said switch members means adapted to operate the movable ii'iciiiber to etlect a rolling and wiping contact between said tips, arcingl horns disposed to receive an are from the Contact tips, each arcing horn being provided with a plurali y of spaced lips and an are denec'ting curtain carried by one of said switch members cooperative with an arcing horn.

1l.. A switching device comprising, in combination, cooperating stationary and movable switch men'ibers, contact tips shaped to permit the making ot a rolling and wiping contact carried by Said switch members, means adapted to operate the movable member to effect a rolling and wiping contact between said tips, each arcing horn being provided with a plurality of spaced lips, the inner faces of said lips diverging as they extend outwardly from said contact tips, and an c deflecting curtain carried by one ot said switch members.

12. A switching device comprising, in combination, cooperating stationary and movable switch members, contact tips shaped to permit the making ot' a rolling and wiping Contact carried by said switch members, means adapte l to operate the movable member to effect a rolling and wiping contact between said tips, and arcing horns disposed to receive an arc from the contact tips, said arcing hoi'ns being spaced from the contact tips, each arcing horn being provided with a plurality of spaced lips, the lips of said arcing horns being shaped to present substantially pointed projections adjacent the contact tips, said contact tips extending beyond said projections thereby to deliver arcs to the outer portions of said arcing horns.

153. A switching device comprising, in combination, cooperating stationary and movable switch members, contact tips shaped to permit the making of a rolling and wiping contact carried by said switch members, means adapted to operate the movable member to ettect a rolling and wiping contact between said tips, and arcing horns disposed to receive an arc Atrom the contact tips, each arcing horn being provided with a plurality of spaced lips disposed thereon to form substantially a trough, said lips being disposed on opposite sides of corresponding contact tips.

l-l. A switching device comprising, in combination, cooperating stationary and movable switch members, removable contact tips shaped to permit the making of a rolling and wiping contact carried by the switch members, means adapted to eiiect the rolling and wiping contact of said tips, biturcated arcing horns termed integral with the switch members and disposed to receive an arc 'from the contact tips, the inner t'aces o'tl the biturcated portions diverging as they extend outwardly, thereby adapting said horns to eii'ect the function of a double arcing horn.

1n testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 4th day of Oct. 1919.

BASCUM O. AUSTIN. 

